What is "Not-So-Ordinary"?
The research project "Critical Archives of Ordinariness: Vernacular Moving Image Practices and Migrant Identity in Polish Chicago" (short form: “Not-So-Ordinary”) investigates home movies and related oral histories of Polish Chicago before the digital era to challenge and broaden our understanding of evolving migrant and diaspora identities. Following critical archive studies’ call to empower communities underrepresented in historiography by developing and interrogating archival collections, the project juxtaposes home movies – “ordinary” motion pictures created for family and close friends – with interviews with their creators to uncover the “not-so-ordinary” capabilities of this underused data source for studying minority groups. The project investigates a specific case: the interplay of vernacular moving image practices and the transformations of Polish diaspora identity in Chicago; however, it leads to conclusions of wider significance. Specifically, it contributes to cultural anthropology by identifying the role of vernacular moving image practices in shaping identities; it advances media archeology by showing how evolving analog home movie technology altered vernacular moving image practices; it expands the field of transnational history by investigating home movies circulating between countries; it demonstrates how to contextualize historical home movies by creating a research collection of home movies and related oral histories; it advances research methods by providing guidance on home movies as a research source and by showing the use of the movie-interview analytical unit.
What is "home movie"?
Home movies refer to films produced outside professional production circuits, often focused on family and usually intended for home viewing. It may include films in any genre, gauge, and on any subject. Although everyday family life, private celebrations (birthdays, weddings, anniversaries), and holidays tend to predominate, home movies may also include documentaries of public celebrations (parades, festivals, meetings) and even fiction films. Home movies offer a unique insight into intimate moments in the lives of individuals and families, both ordinary and unusual, trivial and serious. However, the meaning of home movies is not limited to the domestic sphere. On the contrary, home movies are “Not-So-Ordinary.” They depict entire communities: the experience of migration, adaptation to new environments, changing lifestyles, habits, values, and norms.
Who am I looking for?
I am looking for people with Polish ancestry who shot home movies in 16mm, 8mm, Super8, Beta, VHS, Video8, and Hi8 formats. I want to involve Poles and Polish-Americans from the Chicago metropolitan area of different ages and backgrounds.
If you meet these conditions and would like to talk about your home movies and family memories – please get in touch with me!
How the project is sponsored?
The Not-So-Ordinary project is funded by the European Commission under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Action and implemented at the University of Chicago (academic years 2023/24 and 2024/25) and Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (academic years 2025/26).
Chicago Film Archives is an associated partner of the project. CFA is a non-profit institution dedicated to identifying, collecting, preserving, and providing access to films that represent the Midwest.
This study (ID: 101109803) has been reviewed and approved by the Social and Societal Ethics Committee of KU Leuven (SMEC) G-2023-7313-R2(MAR).
